cabal 1 of 2

noun

kə-ˈbäl How to pronounce cabal (audio)
Definition of cabalnext
as in Mafia
a group involved in secret or criminal activities a conspiracy theory about the existence of an international cabal devoted to world domination

Synonyms & Similar Words

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cabal

2 of 2

verb

as in to club

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Synonym Chooser

How does the noun cabal differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of cabal are conspiracy, intrigue, machination, and plot. While all these words mean "a plan secretly devised to accomplish an evil or treacherous end," cabal typically applies to political intrigue involving persons of some eminence.

a cabal among powerful senators

Where would conspiracy be a reasonable alternative to cabal?

While in some cases nearly identical to cabal, conspiracy implies a secret agreement among several people usually involving treason or great treachery.

a conspiracy to fix prices

When could intrigue be used to replace cabal?

While the synonyms intrigue and cabal are close in meaning, intrigue suggests secret underhanded maneuvering in an atmosphere of duplicity.

backstairs intrigue

In what contexts can machination take the place of cabal?

In some situations, the words machination and cabal are roughly equivalent. However, machination implies a contriving of annoyances, injuries, or evils by indirect means.

the machinations of a party boss

When is plot a more appropriate choice than cabal?

The synonyms plot and cabal are sometimes interchangeable, but plot implies careful foresight in planning a complex scheme.

an assassination plot

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of cabal
Noun
Increasingly, his mind was preoccupied with extremist views and conspiracy theories, including secret government cabals and false-flag operations. — Connor Sheets, Los Angeles Times, 24 July 2026 The eight-part Spanish-language drama, inspired by real events, is set in 1980s Lima, Peru, and follows the rise of an elite law school cabal that infiltrates academia, politics, and organized crime. — Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 15 July 2026
Verb
Nothing was more to be desired than that every practicable obstacle should be opposed to cabal, intrigue, and corruption. — Martin Finucane, BostonGlobe.com, 14 June 2019 Powell is drawing encouragement from the significant losses of candidates who, like Burton, are backed by the Empower Texans cabal attempting to take control of the Texas Legislature. — Richard Greene, star-telegram, 24 May 2018 See All Example Sentences for cabal
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cabal
  1. Mafia
  2. club
  3. gang
  4. league
  5. conspiracy
  6. collaborate
  7. syndicate
  8. ally
Noun
  • Meanwhile, the Mob Museum reported, Mafia violence was also on the rise in Vegas during the 70s.
    — Adam Harrington, CBS News, 23 June 2026
  • Expanding on sounds pioneered by his Memphis predecessors, such as Three 6 Mafia and 8Ball & MJG, Tay Keith carved his own lane.
    — DeMicia Inman, VIBE.com, 20 June 2026
Definition of Mafia
Verb
  • Volpe appeared to club a game-tying two-run home run in the sixth inning of Wednesday night’s ALDS Game 3 in the Bronx, only for a video review to determine that an interfering fan aided the ball over the left-field wall.
    — Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 8 Oct. 2026
  • Varma holed out in the outfield in Ahmed’s final over, but Varma motored to his 21-ball half-century by clubbing 15 runs of the fast bowler’s final four balls.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 3 Oct. 2026
Definition of club
Noun
  • The panel describe a persistent gang presence in rural communities including Nouvelle-Touraine, Bongars, Grand Fond, Belle Fontaine, Belot, Furcy, Kafou Bèt and Sourçailles.
    — Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 10 Oct. 2026
  • In a second complaint unsealed Wednesday, authorities allege that a few months after the U-Haul incident, a gang member fired a barrage of bullets at a man who owed Argumedo money.
    — Matthew Ormseth, Los Angeles Times, 9 Oct. 2026
Definition of gang
Verb
  • Such is a reality of a salary-cap — and in the Heat’s current case, hard-cap — league that forces choices.
    — Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 15 Aug. 2026
  • Continue reading … ‘JUST ASTOUNDING’ – Ex-NBA player looking to enter WNBA torches league over crucial point.
    — , FOXNews.com, 10 Aug. 2026
Definition of league
Noun
  • Corruption schemes The first indictment, filed in Miami in 2019, accuses Pulido and Saab of participating in a money laundering conspiracy involving a Venezuelan government contract to build low-income housing.
    — Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 12 Oct. 2026
  • Orphaned, the children are taken in by their irreverent aunt Berta, and begin a new life in the big city in a house frequented by intellectuals and where all kinds of political conspiracies are hatched.
    — Rafa Sales Ross, Variety, 12 Oct. 2026
Definition of conspiracy
Verb
  • Being able to have the in-person connectivity with talking to your coworkers, being able to collaborate, is great and then also the larger programming of the company as a whole.
    — Kaleigh Werner, Footwear News, 9 Oct. 2026
  • More recently, she’s kept busy producing songs for Adéla, collaborating with Sevdaliza, and featuring on songs created by ex-boyfriend Anyma.
    — Jaeden Pinder, Rolling Stone, 9 Oct. 2026
Definition of collaborate
Noun
  • Musk’s name is one of a number of wealthy individuals that Paramount CEO David Ellison has considered tapping for the syndicate, the people said.
    — Rohan Goswami, semafor.com, 23 Sep. 2026
  • Semafor said Musk is one of a number of wealthy individuals that Paramount, led by CEO David Ellison, has considered approaching to join a syndicate of equity investors into the company.
    — Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 23 Sep. 2026
Definition of syndicate
Verb
  • Fighters allied with the UAE say Abu Dhabi’s departure left a power vacuum the Saudis didn’t fill.
    — Mostafa Salem, CNN Money, 10 Oct. 2026
  • The initial response from governments allied with the United States was overwhelmingly negative.
    — Matthew Lee, Los Angeles Times, 9 Oct. 2026
Definition of ally

Browse Nearby Words

cab
cabal
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Cite this Entry

“Cabal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cabal. Accessed 14 Oct. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on cabal

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about cabal

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